| Steiner-Bell |
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| Written by Administrator | |
| Tuesday, 22 November 2005 | |
 One might say that I have grown up with the Smoky Mountains National Park. I remember when I was a senior in high school we wrote an essay on "Why the Smoky Mountains Should Become a National Park." I was among the first few hundred to cross the mountains to Cherokee when Highway 441 was built to allow vehicle travel across the vast wilderness. The mountains were surveyed for foot trails. These trails, coupled with the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia, became a challenge to hikers. Hiking became a very popular outdoor recreation and is to this day. It is no wonder then that when 1986 was designated as homecoming year in our state, I began to look back to the time of my life in Tennessee.
Clingman's Dome at Sunrise High up on the mountain crest I've felt the velvet kiss of heaven I've stood before the dawn of day And as the light dispelled the gloom O, my smoky, Smoky Mountains, Excerpts from There's Something About a Mountain Editor's Note: Copies of There's Something About a Mountain can only be purchased by writing - Floy Steiner Bell |
I wanted a part in commemorating the God-given environment that enabled many to prepare for and seek to accomplish a life work. I wanted to join those businesses in counties and cities all over the state to highlight its blessings in geographic locations, quality of population, livelihood assets and aesthetic advantages. I decided that my contribution to Tennessee Homecoming '86 could come through my experience of hiking in the mountains and developing Wa-Floy Retreat to Nature, told in poetry in the form of a book. I hope this little book of poems, There's Something About a Mountain, will focus attention on the physical and spiritual therapy of East Tennessee mountains, hills and streams, "I lift mine eyes unto the hills..." As a witness to my dedication to promoting therapy for body, mind and spirit, I must include our little mountain village of Wa-Floy. Over a period of 40 years it has been developed to accommodate groups and families who seek the relaxing and uplifting atmosphere of the mountains.
Wa-Floy's 30 buildings, located five miles east of Gatlinburg on Highway 321, will accommodate more than 400 people. Its more recent special facilities include two buildings designed to help people to nurture a life style for healthier, happier and more productive living. Each of these buildings, Steiner-Bell Health Promotion Institute and King Authur's Court located on the park border, provides one of the most beautiful views in the Smokies. Near the stream is the Chapel-in-the-Woods. A prayer garden, the sky altar, lake, stream, pool, tennis courts, spacious recreation grounds and primitive trails that lead into the wilderness, complete the picture of a Retreat to Nature in the East Tennessee Smoky Mountains. This Retreat is the physical plant from which to encourage those who come here to seek the therapy of our mountains physically, mentally and spiritually."| Next > |
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